Top 10 Google Chrome tips and tricks

Improve your browsing experience with these tweaks

By Tom Spring | 13 September 08

Since Google Chrome launched only a couple of weeks ago, it's going to take web users a while to get used to the browser, and even longer to work out the tips and tweaks that will speed up and improve the experience. However, we've saved you the hard work and rounded up the 10 best tips and tweaks.

1. Surprisingly handy keyboard shortcuts

Chrome offers some unique shortcuts that go beyond the typical CTRL and T for opening new browser tabs. The full list of Chrome shortcuts can be found here, but the three most unusual and unique to Chrome are:

CTRL and SHIFT and NAutomatically opens up a Chrome 'incognito' window which allows you to surf on a PC without leaving behind any digital footprints.

SHIFT and EscapeAllows for fast access to Chrome's Task Manager utility that allows you to nix browser processes that have gone awry.

CTRL and SHIFT and TWill open recently closed browser tabs.

2. Custom searches

When you want to run a search directly from Google's address bar , also known as the Omnibar, just type a question mark (?) followed by a keyword. The default search engine is Google. To change the default search engine to anything you want go right-click inside the address bar and select 'Edit search engines'. You can choose from a predefined list, or create your own.

Here is how to create your own shortcut to search the site of your choice directly from Google Chrome's address bar.

Right-click inside address bar and select 'Edit search engines'.

With that dialog box remaining open, now go to a website you would like to create a custom search for. For the sake of example try Dictionary.com.

Once you visit the site now look at your 'Search Engines' configuration window and you'll notice under the 'Other search engines' field Dictionary.com has been added.

Next you'll want to change the 'Keyword' to something short and easy to remember such as DIC.

Now when you want to look up a word at Dictionary.com all you have to do is type in Chrome's address book 'DIC' proceeded by the word you want to look up.

3. Everyone loves an easter egg

Type 'about:internets' into the address bar and you'll see a tribute to United States Senator Ted Stevens' take on the internet. (This only works in Windows XP)

4. Larger comment boxes

Comment boxes on websites soliciting feedback can sometimes be way too small. With Chrome you simply click on the corner of any web-based comment field and stretch it out as large as you like.

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